Apple Notes review

Apple Notes has grown into a capable Evernote replacement for anyone who only uses Apple devices. It is free, preinstalled and synced through iCloud. Apple's App Store listing describes attachments for PDFs, photos, maps and web links, audio recording with transcription, a built-in document scanner, checklists, tables, collapsible sections and locked notes for private data. Organization goes beyond folders: there are subfolders, tags typed directly into a note, links between notes and Smart Folders built from rules such as date created or attachments. Search covers typed text, handwriting and text inside scanned documents and photos, which covers much of what Evernote users relied on for receipts and paperwork. Shared folders, mentions and an Activity view handle family or small team use. Apple's Notes User Guide for Mac also includes Math Notes and a section on importing and exporting notes. The limit is platform reach: the apps are built for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision and Apple Watch.

Who it is for

iPhone and Mac owners who want a free default

Price

Free on Apple devices.

Notes Take note of almost anything Free
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• Attach PDFs, photos, maps and web links to notes
• Record and transcribe audio directly into a note
• Search text in handwriting, scanned documents and photos
• Folders, subfolders, tags and rule-based Smart Folders
• Shared folders and notes with mentions and an Activity view

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free and already installed on iPhone, iPad and Mac
• Strength: Built-in document scanner and locked notes
• Strength: Math Notes solves expressions as soon as you type an equals sign
• Weakness: Apps are made for Apple devices only
• Weakness: Sync depends on iCloud storage
• Weakness: No web clipper extension is listed on the App Store page

Key facts

• Price: Free
• Sync: iCloud
• Organization: Folders, subfolders, tags and Smart Folders
• Platforms: iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision, Apple Watch

Where it ranks

Apple Notes is No. 3 in our Best Evernote Alternatives verdict.